Initial Response Time Research Articles

Comparison between the effects of Propranolol vs Prednisolone vs Prednisolone with Propranolol in the management of infantile hemangioma

Background: Infantile hemangiomas are the most common soft tissue tumors in infancy, Systemic pharmacologic intervention is necessary for endangering, ulcerating, problematic, or life-threatening IHs . These include oral corticosteroid therapy as first-line treatment and interferon - alfa or vincristine as second- or third-line therapeutic agents. Since 2008, use of propranolol has come to the forefront because of its efficacy & minimal side effects.Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of orally administered propranolol versus prednisolone versus both in the treatment of potentially disfiguring or functionally threatening infantile hemangiomas.Material and Methods: A prospective study of 24 patients aged 1 week to 12 years child with infantile hemangiomas was randomized into three equal groups. These were as follows: A, Propranolol (1–2 mg/kg/d); B, Prednisolone (1–2 mg/kg/d); and C, receiving both for a minimum duration of 3 months. Dimensions, color, consistency, ultrasonography, photographic documentation based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were recorded before and periodically after starting treatment. A minimum 75% improvement was considered as success with no regrowth up to 1 month of stopping treatment.Results: Mean initial response time (days) in A (4.0 ± 3.3 SD) and C (4.5 ± 3.4SD) was significantly lower than B (8.79 ± 7.8SD) Significant change in consistency was noted very early in A (24 hours) compared to B (8days) and C (6 days). VAS results are as follows: (a) color fading—significant reduction in A within 48 hours compared to B and C (b) flattening— more significant and earlier in A and C than B ,and (c) mean reduction in size: significant in A and C at 3 months), 6 months whereas in B, it was seen only at 6 months.Conclusions: Though it’s a ongoing study, only result of 24 patient had been analysed. Propranolol had a consistent, rapid therapeutic effect compared to prednisolone. A combination of the two had a comparable but not higher efficacy than propranolol alone. Prednisolone was associated with a higher number of complications, thereby decreasing patient compliance.J. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 5(2): 41-44, 2014 (July)

Extreme weather: is ‘abnormal’ becoming the new ‘normal’?

Extreme weather: is ‘abnormal’ becoming the new ‘normal’?

RAP2.6L mRNA Level in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Leaf, Inflorescence Explants and Calli Produced From Them

The RAP2.6L is a member of the ERF (ethylene response factor) subfamily β‐4 of the ERF/APETALA2 transcription factor gene family. These preliminary studies seek to investigate the mRNA level of RAP2.6L gene in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaf, inflorescence explants and the calli produced from them, with a view to understanding the molecular basis of direct and indirect organogenesis. Callus was induced and proliferated from non‐chlorophyllous leaf and immature inflorescence tissues using Murashige and Skoog medium. This was supplemented with different concentrations of auxins: 2,4‐D and NAA, ranging from 100‐120 mg/l and 170‐200 mg/l respectively. The times taken for callus induction, percentage callusing explants and weight of fresh callus after 20 weeks of culture initiation were recorded. Callus production was seen to vary in time of initial response and quantity produced for both 2,4‐D and NAA treatments. The leaf tissues yielded more callus in less time than the inflorescence tissues. Treatment 100mg/l 2,4‐D was effective in producing callus in 11 % of leaf explants, while 185 mg/l NAA was more effective in producing callus in 8 % of same. The level of RAP2.6L mRNA was measured with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The results obtained indicated that there was no significant difference in the RAP2.6L mRNA level among the explants and associated calli, suggesting that both explants were equally amenable to indirect organogenesis.

Blink or think: can further reflection improve initial diagnostic impressions?

Experienced clinicians derive many diagnoses intuitively, because most new problems they see closely resemble problems they've seen before. The majority of these diagnoses, but not all, will be correct. This study determined whether further reflection regarding initial diagnoses improves diagnostic accuracy during a high-stakes board exam, a model for studying clinical decision making. Keystroke response data were used from 500 residents who took the 2010 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Internal Medicine Certification Examination. Data included time to initial response on each question, whether the answer was correct, and whether or not the resident changed her or his initial response. The focus was on 80 diagnosis questions that comprised realistic clinical vignettes with multiple-choice single-best answers. Cognitive skill (ability) was measured using overall exam scores. Case complexity was determined using item difficulty (proportion of examinees that correctly answered the question). A hierarchical generalized linear model was used to assess the relationship between time spent on initial responses and the probability of correctly answering the questions. On average, residents changed their responses on 12% of all diagnosis questions (or 9.6 questions out of 80). Changing an answer from incorrect to correct was almost twice as likely as changing an answer from correct to incorrect. The relationship between response time and accuracy was complex. Further reflection appears to be beneficial to diagnostic accuracy, especially for more complex cases.

A GIS-Based Decision Support System for Reducing Air Ambulance Response Times: A Case Study on Public Schools in Jeddah City

In injuries reducing ambulance response time (time from injury to hospital arrival) is an important factor for saving people’s lives. Helicopter emergency medical services can reduce out-of-hospital transport times because of their high speed and their ability to travel in straight paths unlike ground ambulance which are restricted to road network paths, as well as the ability toaccess rural or remote area injuries that are difficult to reach by ground ambulance. GIS technology aids air ambulance movement planning to reduce out-of-hospital response time based on mathematical and geographic models to support decision making which is necessary from out-of-hospital care providers. The goal of this study is to use GIS to develop an efficient DSS to outline where air ambulance can reduce response times, by using spatial analysis tools to create Euclidean distance and direction zones around receiving hospitals. The study concludes that GIS technology can be used to develop an efficient DSS to outline where air ambulance can reduce response times, by creating surfaces of Euclidean allocation, direction, and distance that can be used to improve initial response times for the civil defense air rescue and air ambulance services.

Abstract 3708: microRNAs involved in BRAF inhibitor resistance

Abstract BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) have shown remarkable clinical activity in advanced metastatic melanomas with mutant BRAF(V600E). However, there is considerable variability in both the extent and the duration of patient responses, and acquired resistance invariably emerges. To date, a number of mechanisms underlying acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors have been identified, most of which reactivate ERK signaling while simultaneously engaging parallel survival pathways. However, these mechanisms account for only a fraction of progressed melanoma and do not explain the large variability of initial response rates and time to progression of melanoma patients subjected to these therapies. We hypothesize that in addition to genetic events, non-genetic alterations such as microRNA changes are critical in mediating time to progression in melanoma tumors treated with BRAF inhibitors. In order to identify microRNAs involved in BRAF inhibitor resistance we performed a functional screen approach utilizing a novel lentiviral-based library of microRNA ‘decoys’. These constructs are better able to stably suppress endogenous microRNA activity than the hairpin RNAs traditionally used. This pooled parallel loss-of-microRNA function analysis in BRAF(V600E) mutant melanoma cells showed enrichment and loss of specific decoys after drug treatment, corresponding to microRNAs that may enhance or compromise the response, respectively. MicroRNA decoys that are positively or negatively selected during drug treatment are being validated using single decoy constructs for their ability to modulate BRAFi response. MicroRNA target genes will be determined by a combination of microarray analysis, in silico predictive algorithms, and 3′UTR-luciferase reporter assay. MicroRNAs and target genes are being validated on human samples from treated patients. Those potentially involved in processes/pathways known to influence drug resistance (i.e. survival genes) will be examined for their ability to mimic or counteract microRNA effects in BRAFi resistance when silenced or overexpressed, respectively. Identification of novel modulators of drug resistance provides the opportunity to design rational combinatorial approaches that will enhance and prolong the effect of these therapies, with the ultimate goal of achieving cures. Citation Format: Lisa Koetz, Elena Sokolova, Brian D. Brown, Eva Hernando. microRNAs involved in BRAF inhibitor resistance. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3708. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3708

UAS Measured Response

The present study examined the effects of three different control mode interfaces on unmanned aerial system (UAS) pilots’ ability to comply with air traffic controller (ATC) traffic clearances. Pilots controlled a simulated UAS with a waypoint-only interface, an auto-pilot interface and a manual, stick and throttle interface. Researchers recorded pilots’ ‘measured response’ at several stages of ATC-pilot interaction, which consisted of verbal response times, initial response times, initial edit times, total edit times, and overall compliance times. Results indicate that pilots are best able to comply with ATC clearances when provided with auto-pilot and manual control inputs. Limitations to the present study and future analyses are discussed.

Quantifying the global carbon cycle response to volcanic stratospheric aerosol radiative forcing using Earth System Models

AbstractLarge volcanic eruptions can have a significant cooling effect on climate, which is evident in both modern and palaeo data. However, due to the difficulty of disentangling volcanic and other influences in the modern atmospheric CO2 record, and uncertainties associated with palaeo reconstructions of atmospheric CO2, the magnitude of the carbon cycle response to volcanically induced climatic changes is difficult to quantify. In this study, three Earth System Models (SIMEARTH, CLIMBER‐2, and CLIMBER LPJ) are used to simulate the effects of different magnitudes of volcanic eruption, from relatively small (e.g., Mount Pelée, 1902) to very large (e.g., the 1258 ice core event), on the coupled global climate‐carbon cycle system. These models each use different, but justifiable, parameterizations to simulate the global carbon cycle and climate. Key differences include how soil respiration and net primary productivity respond to temperature and atmospheric CO2. All models simulate global surface cooling in response to volcanic events. In response to a Mount Pinatubo‐equivalent eruption, the modelled temperature decrease is 0.3°C to 0.4°C and atmospheric CO2 decreases by 1.1 ppm to 3.4 ppm. The initial response time of climate to volcanic forcing and subsequent recovery time vary little with changes in the size of the forcing. Response times for vegetation and soil carbon are relatively consistent across forcings for each model. However, results indicate that there is significant uncertainty concerning the response of the carbon cycle to volcanic eruptions. Suggestions for future research directed at reducing this uncertainty are given.

The October issue of Medical Express

MedicalExpress is happy to announce the coming of its 5 issue, October 2014. This is where we move ahead towards accomplishing one more of our goals, which is to publish in continuous flow: following this editorial you have the first three original research articles of volume 1(5). Others will follow, as their processing becomes complete. The most significant piece of news at the time of writing is that MedicalExpress has now acquired the necessary credentials and has formally applied for indexation in SciELO, the Brazilian based Scientific Electronic Library Online. We expect to have news on this development before the end of this year. Our previous, 4 issue, dated August 2014, came out en bloc in July 11th. The 11 titles therein (8 original research articles, 3 reviews) were processed as shown in Table 1. We are moving towards our average goal of 10 articles per issue; our initial response time has remained quite steady whereas our interval between acceptance and publication has fallen to 44 days in the fourth issue. We expect to publish 11 articles in October totalizing 48 in the first five issues (9.6 articles per issue). The table does not show time from submission to publication, because this statistic includes time controlled by authors, not by the journal. The August issue was the largest, so far, with three reviews, seven original research papers and one rapid communication. Oliveira et al reviewed present state of the art technology for cerebrospinal shunt circuitry with emphasis on the development of last generation valves. Iuamoto et al reviewed available reports on the viability of islet allotransplantation in rats and the amelioration of survival with the use of the latest immunosuppressive agents. Campos reviews recent recommendations concerning the use of Chondroprotective agents in osteoarthritic patients and makes a strong case for their use despite negative recommendations by learned international rheumatologic institutions Gotfryd et al retrospectively evaluated back pain in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and conclude that spinal arthrodesis is efficient for patients with Cobb angles greater than 45 degrees. Andreia Silva et al retrospectively analyzed immunophenotype of lung granulomas in HIV and in non-HIV associated tuberculosis and concluded that the advent of AIDS changed the immunological profile, probably because of CD4 þ lymphocyte depletion. Valenti et al examined the effect of cigarette smoke on the general activity and anxiety of rats and found that exposure to smoke affetcs their performace in open field tests. Tavares et al evaluated the pattern of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in children with dilated cardiomyopathy and found (a) that arterial pressure is similar to that in normal children, but (b) that cardiopathic children with low ejection fraction exhibited a lower dipping pattern. Gomes et al described and tested a new protocol of regular aerobic training and its effect as an anxiolytic for panic disorder and concluded that the protocol is safe and potentially useful. Plassa et al examined cardiac autonomic responses to musical stimulation with a baroque piece by Pachelbel and report that subjects with affinity to classical music exhibited altered autonomic responses, whereas subjects with no affinity remained unaffected. Coqueiro et al examined the relation between anthropometric indicators and serum triglycerides and conclude that the best indicators differ between men and women; for both sexes, body mass index, calf circumference and triceps skinfold thickness were found to be the best predictors. Koike et al described an ingenious new technique for evaluating aortic valve function in rats with experimental aortic valve insufficiency. The new technique allows for acute and chronic evaluation of cardiac function following the placement of the lesion. Once again we invite readers to submit their research to MedicalExpress. We provide quality revision and speed of publication second to few in the world, second to none in Brazil.

Perceptual similarity affects the learning curve (but not necessarily learning).

What role does item similarity play in motor skill acquisition? To examine this question, we used a modified version of the chord learning task (Seibel, 1963) that entails producing simultaneous finger key presses, similar to playing a chord on a piano. In Experiment 1, difficulty, as indexed by response time (RT) to a particular chord on the first session, was held constant, and chords that were similar to other chords had longer RTs after practice than dissimilar chords. In Experiment 2, we used chords that produced different initial RTs to show that similarity affected asymptotic RT rather than the size of RT decrement achieved with practice. In Experiment 3, we eliminated differences in perceptual similarity by using Chinese characters for stimuli while retaining differences in motoric similarity, which resulted in nearly identical asymptotes for similar and dissimilar chords. Thus, the density effect observed in Experiments 1 and 2 appears to stem from competition triggered by similar stimuli. Because performance differences were immediately re-established when stimulus similarity was introduced in Experiment 3 during transfer sessions, competition appears to emerge among learned, central representations that can be coactivated by multiple stimuli.

Effect of propranolol vs prednisolone vs propranolol with prednisolone in the management of infantile hemangioma: A randomized controlled study

Aims and ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of orally administered propranolol versus prednisolone versus both in the treatment of potentially disfiguring or functionally threatening infantile hemangiomas. Material and MethodsA prospective study of 30 patients aged 1week–8months was randomized into three equal groups. These were as follows: A, propranolol (2–3mg/kg/d); B, prednisolone (1–4mg/kg/d); and C, receiving both for a minimum duration of 3months. Dimensions, color, consistency, ultrasonography, photographic documentation based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were recorded before and periodically after starting treatment. A minimum 75% improvement was considered as success with no regrowth up to 1month of stopping treatment. ResultsMean initial response time (days) in A (4.1±3.3 SD) and C (4.7±3.4SD) was significantly lower than B (9.78±7.8SD) (p<0.047). Significant change in consistency was noted very early in A (24hours) compared to B and C (8days). VAS results are as follows: (a) color fading—significant reduction in A within 48hours compared to B and C (p=0.025), (b) flattening—more significant and earlier in A and C than B (p<0.05), and (c) mean reduction in size: significant in A and C at 3months (p=0.005, p=0.005), 6months (p=0.005, p=0.008), 12months (p=0.005, p=0.008), and 18months (p=0.02, p=0.04), whereas in B, it was seen only at 6months (p=0.008). ConclusionsPropranolol had a consistent, rapid therapeutic effect compared to prednisolone. A combination of the two had a comparable but not higher efficacy than propranolol alone. Prednisolone was associated with a higher number of complications, thereby decreasing patient compliance.

Experimental Study of Capillary Radiant Cooling System with Parameters Changing

In this paper, the test methods of radiation laboratory and data analysis in detail were introduced. The impact of the capillary system with different parameters changing, such as water temperature or water flow the capillary cooling capacity changes, and the capillary cooling system when the initial radiation response time were specificially studied. Under different parameters while cooling capillary volume changes associated with the indoor temperature can be seen under certain conditions, the capillary cooling capacity and room temperature has a linear relationship.

A Pilot Study of 1% Pimecrolimus Cream for the Treatment of Childhood Segmental Vitiligo

BackgroundThere is as yet no effective and safe treatment for vitiligo. One percent pimecrolimus cream, a topical calcineurin inhibitor, has been tried for the treatment of vitiligo, with its therapeutic efficacy having mostly been reported in non-segmental vitiligo. However, questions about the therapeutic efficacy of 1% pimecrolimus cream have remained unanswered regarding segmental vitiligo.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to study the therapeutic efficacy and safety of 1% pimecrolimus cream for segmental childhood vitiligo.MethodsNine childhood patients with segmental vitiligo were treated with 1% pimecrolimus cream twice daily for three months, after which good responders were scheduled to continue with the 1% pimecrolimus cream monotherapy. The efficacy and safety of this treatment were determined by the levels of repigmentation, initial response time and the presence of adverse events including burning, dryness, stinging and itching.ResultsFour of nine patients achieved mild to moderate responses after three months of treatment and thus continued with treatment. Among these four patients, three achieved an excellent response and one patient achieved a moderate response, with a mean treatment duration of 7.3 months. Transient local burning sensation was the most common adverse event. In comparison with the patients with poor response, those patients with good response showed a shorter disease duration (8.5±10.5 mo vs. 13.4±10.1 mo), more frequent facial involvement (4/4 patients vs. 3/5 patients) and earlier initial response after treatment (1.0±0.0 mo vs. 2.0±1.0 mo).ConclusionThis study suggests that 1% pimecrolimus cream is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for segmental childhood vitiligo.

Outpatient Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas With Propranolol: A Prospective Study

ObjectiveTo assess the safety and effectiveness of oral propranolol (OP) in the treatment of infantile hemangiomas. Material and methodWe conducted a prospective study of infantile hemangiomas (IHs) treated with oral propranolol between October 2008 and March 2011. We included fast-growing IHs in the proliferative phase, IHs affecting vital structures, ulcerated IHs, and IHs that could cause functional or aesthetic problems after the proliferative phase. The patients received oral propranolol 2mg/kg/d and were monitored on an outpatient basis. Response to treatment was assessed by volume reduction, lightening of color, improvement of symptoms, and parent satisfaction. Time of initial and peak response, as well as side effects and sequelae, were recorded. ResultsWe analyzed 20 IHs, corresponding to 17 girls and 3 boys. The main sites of involvement were around the eyes (20%), the nose (15%), the neck (15%), and the trunk (15%). Ninety percent of the hemangiomas were focal and in the proliferative phase. Treatment was started between the ages of 2 and 19 months and the main reason for starting treatment was rapid growth (50% of cases). Initial response was observed in 70% of cases and only in 2 of them it took over a month. Peak response occurred at 3 months. All the IHs responded to treatment; response was excellent in 55% of cases, good in 35%, and minimal in 10%. The following factors were predictive of response: focal IH, proliferative phase, periorbital location, and ulceration. No serious side effects were observed. ConclusionOral propranolol was clinically effective in reducing the volume and color of infantile hemangiomas, although the reduction was not complete and telangiectasia and scarring persisted after treatment. Oral propranolol also proved to be safe for use in outpatients.

Tratamiento de hemangiomas infantiles con propranolol en régimen de control ambulatorio. Estudio prospectivo

ObjectiveTo assess the safety and effectiveness of oral propranolol (OP) in the treatment of infantile hemangiomas. Material and methodWe conducted a prospective study of infantile hemangiomas (IHs) treated with oral propranolol between October 2008 and March 2011. We included fast-growing IHs in the proliferative phase, IHs affecting vital structures, ulcerated IHs, and IHs that could cause functional or aesthetic problems after the proliferative phase. The patients received oral propranolol 2mg/kg/d and were monitored on an outpatient basis. Response to treatment was assessed by volume reduction, lightening of color, improvement of symptoms, and parent satisfaction. Time of initial and peak response, as well as side effects and sequelae, were recorded. ResultsWe analyzed 20 IHs, corresponding to 17 girls and 3 boys. The main sites of involvement were around the eyes (20%), the nose (15%), the neck (15%), and the trunk (15%). Ninety percent of the hemangiomas were focal and in the proliferative phase. Treatment was started between the ages of 2 and 19 months and the main reason for starting treatment was rapid growth (50% of cases). Initial response was observed in 70% of cases and only in 2 of them it took over a month. Peak response occurred at 3 months. All the IHs responded to treatment; response was excellent in 55% of cases, good in 35%, and minimal in 10%. The following factors were predictive of response: focal IH, proliferative phase, periorbital location, and ulceration. No serious side effects were observed. ConclusionOral propranolol was clinically effective in reducing the volume and color of infantile hemangiomas, although the reduction was not complete and telangiectasia and scarring persisted after treatment. Oral propranolol also proved to be safe for use in outpatients.

A collaborative survey to measure the clinical effectiveness of sixteen specialist palliative care teams

AimTo survey activities undertaken by specialist palliative care teams within the acute hospital setting and community examining referral response times, complexity of caseload and impact/effectiveness of the SPCTs involvement with...

Initial emergency response performance of fire fighters in Malaysia

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the initial emergency response time of fire fighting teams in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachIn an emergency incident time is of the essence, and the basic philosophy of an emergency response agency is to respond as quickly as possible to minimize the loss of life and property damage. In the current study, emergency response performance refers to team members' speed in responding to emergency situations, which was measured as the time taken for the team members to get to the fire truck from the waiting room in selected fire stations in Malaysia. The data collection period lasted for five months.FindingsThis study found that the overall average initial emergency response time was 84 seconds, while the overall average weighted initial emergency response time was 3.71 seconds per meter. The current study has demonstrated that the average initial emergency response performed by fire fighting teams in Malaysia is apparently better than that reported by previous studies by other emergency responders.Originality/valueThis paper presents empirical evidence of the initial emergency response time of fire fighters in Malaysia, by taking into account the distance traveled by the responders. As such, the performance measure obtained gives a meaningful indicator. The finding of the current study is then compared to emergency response performance by other emergency response agencies in other countries.

Effect of Cell and Microvillus Mechanics on the Transmission of Applied Loads to Single Bonds in Dynamic Force Spectroscopy

Receptor-ligand interactions that mediate cellular adhesion are often subjected to forces that regulate their detachment via modulating off-rates. Although the dynamics of detachment is primarily controlled by the physical chemistry of adhesion molecules, cellular features such as cell deformability and microvillus viscoelasticity have been shown to affect the rolling velocity of leukocytes in vitro through experiments and simulation. In this work, we demonstrate via various micromechanical models of two cells adhered by a single (intramolecular) bond that cellular viscoelasticity resulting from the interplay of cellular deformation and hydrodynamic drag modulates transmission of an applied external load to an intramolecular bond, and thus the dynamics of detachment. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the intermolecular bond force is not equivalent to the instantaneous applied force and that the instantaneous bond force decreases with increasing cellular viscoelasticity. As cellular compliance increases, not only does the time lag between the applied load and the bond force increase, an initial response time is observed during which cell deformation is observed without transfer of force to the bond. It is further demonstrated that following tether formation the instantaneous intramolecular bond force increases linearly at a rate dependent on microvillus viscosity. Monte Carlo simulations with fixed kinetic parameters predict that both cell and microvillus compliance increase the average rupture time, although the average rupture force based on bond length remains nearly unchanged.

Effect of cell and microvillus mechanics on the transmission of applied loads to single bonds in dynamic force spectroscopy

Receptor-ligand interactions that mediate cellular adhesion are often subjected to forces that regulate their detachment via modulating off-rates. Although the dynamics of detachment is primarily controlled by the physical chemistry of adhesion molecules, cellular features such as cell deformability and microvillus viscoelasticity have been shown to affect the rolling velocity of leukocytes in vitro through experiments and simulation. In this work, we demonstrate via various micromechanical models of two cells adhered by a single (intramolecular) bond that cell deformability and microvillus viscoelasticity modulate transmission of an applied external load to an intramolecular bond, and thus the dynamics of detachment. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the intermolecular bond force is not equivalent to the instantaneous applied force and that the instantaneous bond force decreases with cellular and microvillus compliance. As cellular compliance increases, not only does the time lag between the applied load and the bond force increase, an initial response time is observed during which cell deformation is observed without transfer of force to the bond. It is further demonstrated that following tether formation the instantaneous intramoleular bond force increases linearly at a rate dependent on microvillus viscosity. Monte Carlo simulations with fixed kinetic parameters predict that both cell and microvillus compliance increase the average rupture time, although the average rupture force based on bond length remains nearly unchanged.

An approach for virtual appliance distribution for service deployment

Fulfilling a service request in highly dynamic service environments may require deploying a service. Therefore, the effectiveness of service deployment systems affects initial service response times. On Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud systems deployable services are encapsulated in virtual appliances. Services are deployed by instantiating virtual machines with their virtual appliances. The virtual machine instantiation process is highly dependent on the size and availability of the virtual appliance that is maintained by service developers. This article proposes an automated virtual appliance creation service that aids the service developers to create efficiently deployable virtual appliances — in former systems this task was carried out manually by the developer. We present an algorithm that decomposes these appliances in order to replicate the common virtual appliance parts in IaaS systems. These parts are used to reduce the deployment time of the service by rebuilding the virtual appliance of the service on the deployment target site. With the prototype implementation of the proposed algorithms we demonstrate the decomposition and appliance rebuilding algorithms on a complex web service.